If you haven't had a chance yet, be sure to check out the Discovery Science Center's latest exhibit The Magical School Bus Kicks up a Storm. As the website says "the bilingual, hands-on traveling exhibition is based on the best-selling Scholastic books and the ever-popular television series. The exhibition is designed for children ages 5-12, parents, caregivers and teachers. Visitors can become immersed in the weather exhibition in a uniquely Scholastic's The Magic School Bus way by visiting Ms. Frizzle's Classroom, climbing aboard the bus itself - transformed into a Weather Observatory - or visiting the Walkerville Weather Center. Through these three interactive environments, visitors can explore the water cycle and its relation to weather, and how influences from air, heat, water and land combine to create weather."

For ticket information & directions go HERE. (Be sure to check out the daily field trip schedule, so you can plan your trip when the Discovery Science Center is less busy.)

These days Disneyland isn't the only place granting FREE admission on your birthday. If you'd prefer to spend your birthday racing down the slopes, then check out Bear Mountain, Snow Summit, Mountain High, Snow Valley, or Mt. Baldy... all of these Southern California Ski & Snowboard Resorts are offering a FREE lift ticket on your birthday. Simply present a valid photo I.D. at any ticket window on your ACTUAL birthday.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Every year my in-laws host a Super Bowl party & every year i look forward to my mother-in-law's "soup bar." She always has two - three soups cooking on the stove for everyone to enjoy, it's a great way to serve the crowds. Last year her tortilla soup was especially good, so i thought i'd share (hope she won't mind)!

Its Lunar New Year and the year of the Ox. You can read your fortune here based on the year you were born.

Make sure to mark your calendar for the Tet Festival that celebrates the new year in Garden Grove. It starts this Friday, January 30th and is one of the biggest celebrations of the lunar New Year. The festival includes cultural performers and food. Check the website for details and times.

If you can't make it to the festival try making one of these great crafts with the kids found by Crafty Crow.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Applying to college can be overwhelming . We offer comprehensive college admission consulting services to Orange County residents that change the college application process from a stressful situation to a rewarding experience. Students who worked with College Materials this year have already been accepted to Stanford, Georgetown, and Columbia. College Materials provides the knowledge and guidance necessary to make students competitive applicants.Our goal is to work with students to make sure that they are prepared to apply successfully to colleges that meet their social and academic expectations. All students work directly with Coleen Bryan, a seasoned Independent College Admission Counselor from southern Orange County to ensure quality of service.

Using a mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Stir in food coloring and the crushed Mint Krispys (save 1/4 to sprinkle on top). Fold in whipped topping. Pour into crust. Place in freezer until firm. Garnish as desired with crushed Mint Krispys. Store leftovers in freezer. Serves 8.

Friday, January 23, 2009

I don't know about you, but as a mom to little ones, I'm always on the look out for new parks to check out. Although we definitely have our favorites we like to visit, it's always fun & exciting to "play" somewhere new... that's why I LOVE Michele & her website Fun Orange County Parks. But rather than try to explain who Michele is & what she is all about, why don't I let her do it in her own words...

Basically, I'm a nut when it comes to my enthusiasm for parks and play. Add a talent for writing, a compulsion to organize information, ridiculous attention to detail, and a desire to share all this good stuff and you've got Fun Orange County Parks on Play Parks Central.

How does it work? I play with my team of expert playground testers (7 year old son and 3 year old daughter - and any other kid we can drag into the mix). I talk to the locals to find out the REAL highlights and hazards. I take tons of photos and post them to the blog, along with a map link and checklist. Then I cross my fingers and hope for comments.

My biggest wish is for more experts (that's you!) to share their experiences. Only mommy's know a day at the park with a 15-month old -- who trips on everything and eats bark -- is different from the school-aged kid who wants slides to be bigger and faster. So if you decide to try out Aliso Beach Park and you don't agree with my assessment, please share your own story in the comments.

Better yet, I'll have really done my job if you are inspired to fill out my form sending ME to YOUR favorite park. I live for those days! A new playground experience? Guided by someone who knows the inside scoop? Hurray!! Each individual contribution builds a stronger resource. And if you run a website, like Just Spotted, I reward you with a link back to your site.

My website is all about finding play parks. I want my visitors to have fun. I always say, "If just one mom brings her kid to a new park, then I've done my job." When I asked my computer-literate son what I should write for this post, he said "You're a good park finder. You find parks and say 'This one has a bathroom and that one doesn't.' The parks we find are always good. Your website stands out - how you use the real pictures of the park. I think it's a kid-friendly park website to look at because it has all the options of which parks you can go to."

Fun FactsNewest Site Resource: A link to dog-friendly parks under the Orange County Resources menu.

Proudest (Unofficial) Partner in Play:I found KaBOOM ("a national non-profit that empowers communities to build playgrounds") through my work on Play Parks Central. They named me one of their "Playmakers in Action" for 2009. I try to help their worthy cause by spreading the word about their social network and Playspace Finder.

Who under-utilizes this resource?I think it's PERFECT for parenting groups, like MOPS or MOMS Clubs. It would make playgroups SO much easier to plan. I've done all the work, they can just link to the site. It's also a great place for those planning birthday parties - I've had visitors e-mail me and we work together to find the best location.

What else am I crazy about?My husband of 15 years, LEGOS, new music, Trader Joe's, sunsets over the Pacific, easy recipes, and Yosemite.

I love a great romantic spot to spend time with my husband and finding the ideal romantic spot is essential for Valentine’s Day. We spent our Valentine’s Day at Disneyland three years ago and my husband made reservations at the Blue Bayou. You know the place, its that swanky restaurant that you float by on Pirates of the Caribbean. The restaurant is graced with amazing lighting and has a wonderful ambiance for a dinner for two. The food is reasonably priced when you compare it to the other dining choices in the park and here are the details on the menu from the Disney website:

Savor down-home, Louisiana-inspired cooking and full table service in moonlit ambience as Pirates of the Caribbean passenger boats drift past. This popular restaurant serves a range of delectable dishes for lunch and dinner (children's menu available): Fish and beef entrees — including mahimahi, roast New York strip and an exquisite dinner special featuring surf and turf Cajun classics like Tesora Island chicken, jambalaya and a Monte Cristo sandwich Cajun-inspired wedge salad and gumbo (with entrees)Specialty desserts like crèmebrulee (includes pirate keepsake)

For some reason I thought the restaurant was exclusive or impossible to get into, but it turns out all you have to do is call the reservations line (714) 781-DINE) ahead of time. Make sure to get reservation because it is almost impossible to get a seat if you try the day of and don’t forget to try the CrèmeBrulee.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

I love getting mail. Holiday cards, baby announcements, handwritten letters, and wedding invitations make my heart swell with happiness. Even better than receiving is sending mail, so our annual family V-Day tradition is decorating mailboxes for everyone in the family, so we can send one another Valentines all month long. The kids have so much fun decorating their mailboxes and really take pride in writing notes to everyone (my youngest draws pictures). Luckily, I spotted the perfect mini mailboxes in the dollar bins at the Target at Irvine Spectrum.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

For Valentine's Day I thought it would be fun to share 25 things I love. One of my loves is a good party and one of my favorite parties last year was the incredible baby shower my dear friends threw for me (pictured above). As you can see the color palate is perfect for Valentine’s Day and the party was made a little more simple for the hosts by getting Sprinkles (all red velvet, my personal favorite) and having Z Pizza cut appetizer size slices of their pizza rustica to serve with salads.

The decorations were bright, but simple. They assembled pom-poms via Martha Stewart's instructions and hung them around the house. I think one of the best parts of the party was how the candy worked as a decoration as well (thanks to the inspiration of Amy Atlas). Hope this inspires you to create your own sweet party for V-Day.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.2. In a large pot combine frozen meatballs and spaghetti sauce. Heat over medium until meatballs are heated throughout.3. Meanwhile, mix together cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, pepper, garlic powder & set aside.4. Slice Italian style bread loaves horizontally with serrated bread knife, I like to cut them almost all the way, but not completely through the bread. Cut loaves into three- or four-inch sections to make small sandwiches.5. Spread cream cheese mixture on insides of each sandwiches' tops and bottoms.6. When meatballs are heated, spoon onto sandwiches and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.7. Put sandwich tops on and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake about 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Applying to college can be overwhelming . We offer comprehensive college admission consulting services to Orange County residents that change the college application process from a stressful situation to a rewarding experience. Students who worked with College Materials this year have already been accepted to Stanford, Georgetown, and Columbia. College Materials provides the knowledge and guidance necessary to make students competitive applicants.Our goal is to work with students to make sure that they are prepared to apply successfully to colleges that meet their social and academic expectations. All students work directly with Coleen Bryan, a seasoned Independent College Admission Counselor from southern Orange County to ensure quality of service.

Yum! Yum! Krispy Kreme has announced that it will be "honoring American's sense of pride & freedom of choice on Inauguration Day, by offering a free doughnut of choice to every customer on this historic day, January 20. By doing so, participating Krispy Kreme stores nationwide are making an oath to tasty goodies - just another reminder of how oh-so-sweet "free" can be."

Monday, January 19, 2009

If you've never been to Pat & Oscar's, it is definitely a "family place". The menu has everything from pizza & pasta, to salad, chicken, ribs, & my personal favorite part of the meal... bread sticks. They even have complete "meals" available for one, two or four. The food is pretty tasty (especially those bread sticks I mentioned earlier), the prices are pretty reasonable, & most importantly... for a family with little ones, the service is quick!

Every Tuesday night at Pat & Oscar's kids eat FREE. On Tuesdays "diners at all of Pat & Oscar's 19 Southern California locations will receive a free Just for Kids Meal with any adult purchase of $5 or more (limit one free just For Kids meal per person and purchase.)" Looking for other deals & discounts? Sign up for their BreadstickeClub, or check out the Pat & Oscar's Family Rewards.

Friday, January 16, 2009

The Aquarium of the Pacific is offering extended hours (5-9) and admission is $10 for everyone after 5:00PM this Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy the nighttime activities of the animals and the beautiful environment of the Aquarium for a discounted price. For more details click here.

Did you know that Dana Point Harbor is considered the "Whale Capital of the West"? Whale Watching is definitely in full swing right now. With thousands of California Gray Whales migrating from the cold Artic Seas to the warmer waters of Southern California & Baja, Dana Point Harbor is the perfect place view these beautiful creatures. In fact, right now the harbor is reporting that "currently we are seeing an unusual sighting of the majestic Finback Whale. These magnificent creatures are generally 45-70 feet in length and weigh 40 tons. They are listed on the endangered species list."

Interested in setting sail on your own little adventure? Check out what some of these companies have to offer:

If you happen to visit the harbor on a Sunday, be sure to check out the Free Kid's Fishing Clinics. The fishing clinics are held every Sunday at 9am & 12pm. Your kids will receive "dockside experience... Ask the experts and learn new fishing techniques, new hook tying secrets, win raffle prizes and so much more! No reservations are needed!"

Thursday, January 15, 2009

President Elect Obama has been making this chili recipe featured on GMA since college. The recipe is getting rave reviews in the blogging world and would be a great dish to serve on Inauguration Day (Jan 20).

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

I love trying new restaurants and Newport's Restaurant Week gives me the perfect excuse. About 100 eateries participate in the event to encourage people to try some of the best cuisine in southern California by offering affordable gourmet three-course, prix-fixe menus at each restaurant. Lunch is $15 or $20 and Dinner is $20 0r $35, you can go to the website for details about restaurants and pricing.

Here's more details from the website:

The Newport Beach Restaurant Association is proud to present Newport Beach Restaurant Week. Spanning five days in late January, Restaurant Week is a special citywide culinary celebration produced by the Restaurant Association positioning Newport Beach as Southern California’s Premier Dining Destination. Close to 100 of Newport Beach’s best eateries are expected to participate in this citywide, culinary celebration by offering delicious bargain priced three-course, prix-fixe gourmet menus for lunch and dinner.

It is a fun promotion that will attract local patrons and visitors to new and classic restaurants to sample a variety of the exceptional dishes being prepared by the best chefs in Newport Beach. The community is invited to celebrate its love of food during Restaurant Week, which offers great deals on outstanding culinary delights with bargain three-course prix fixe-lunches and dinner menus prepared especially for this event!

My belly is growing bigger daily, my body is starting to ache a bit more & my "normal" exercise routine is getting more uncomfortable daily. Luckily, one aspect of of exercise regime doesn't have to change... my yoga practice. In fact prenatal yoga is often encouraged because it helps you learn to breathe deeply & relax - something that will come in handy in the next the couple of months!

Baby Center has some great tips regarding prenatal yoga: "Seek out an instructor who is specifically trained in prenatal yoga, but if that's not possible, make sure your instructor knows you're expecting... Be aware, that your slowly expanding girth will affect your sense of balance. Don't try to hold poses for a long time, and remember to sink into yoga positions slowly & carefully to avoid injury. Take your time and don't overdo it. During the second-trimester avoid lying flat on your back now, too, to keep blood flowing properly to your uterus."

Looking for something you can do from home? Check out THESE yoga poses that are recommending during pregnancy, or try THIS DVD.

When it comes to yoga studios, Orange County has lots to offer. Here's a list of local studios that offer specific prenatal yoga classes. However, if you can't find a class nearby, call your local studio, more than likely their instructors are trained in prenatal yoga adaptations.

Did you know you can see a Broadway style play at Disney's California Adventure Park? Playing at the Hyperion Theatre, which is located in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot (near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror), is Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular. It's a 40-minute musical version of the movie we all know & love. Complete with amazing sets, flying magic carpets & gigantic walking elephants. This is definitely something for the entire family... the first time we saw the show, my one & two-year-old we completely enthralled! & on a hot day, the theatre is the perfect place to escape the heat for a little while. Just a few tips: For show times, go HERE. Seating is limited, so you do want to arrive at the theater a little early & you should know that the doors to the theater will close five minutes prior to the start of the play. & although there is no age requirements, do realize that the play is 40 minutes long, so plan accordingly. If you have a stroller, you'll have to leave it outside, so be sure to bring along anything you might need. Hope you enjoy the show!

Looking back at all the delightful handmade holiday gifts from 2008 featured on blogs, I found two that I thought might just work for Valentine's Day or at least serve as a little inspiration.

The first favorite homemade treasure I spotted was on Oh Dee Doh and created by Sarah of The Small Object. She wrote a simple letter to her niece and formatted it on Photoshop to send to Spoonflower, so they could create custom fabric from her Photoshop image. The result is a sweet and personal quilt that her niece will always enjoy.

Here are some Valentine ideas that were inspired by this gift:

a pillowcase with a memorable quote to that special someone

a quilt with kids drawings to Nana

custom Valentine Bags for the kids

The second homemade treasure I spotted was on Oh Happy Day and created by Jordan. She designed a simple leisure book to give to her husband, so that he could easily find fun things to do in his free time. She asked friends and family for suggestions and compiled all the ideas in a notebook divided into sections. I also love this gift because you do not need to be super crafty, the format is simple because she used a moleskin notebook with tabs to create the book. The best thing about the gift is that you can continue to add to your leisure books as you find new sites, restaurants, and things to do.

Here are some Valentine ideas that are inspired by this gift:

plan a surprise trip and give a "leisure book" that include your romantic plans for the trip

create a reflection book of a special vacation and include favorite spots and memories

Monday, January 12, 2009

Okay, I know this isn't exactly big news, because I actually "spotted" it awhile ago, but silly me, I keep forgetting to post about it. & although I figured everyone already the news, after talking to some friends this weekend, I realized I still needed to spread the word.... Did you know that Target is now carrying Bumble & Bumble Products? No more traipsing all the way down to the salon when your supply is running low, simply swing by your local Target. Thanks Target for making my life just a little bit easier!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Paradise Bakery is my favorite stop in the food court. They have great sandwiches and salads, even better than their food items are their cookies. I LOVE their cookies. My favorites alternate between the black and white chippers and the coconut chocolate chip cookie. There are two paradise locations in Orange County, one in Santa Ana and the other in Mission Viejo (check the website for details).

Just in case you are not close to a paradise bakery, you can have the whole cookie experience at home thanks to Picky Palate. I made a batch of the Chewy White Chocolate, Chocolate Cookie for my family and we loved them. They are exactly like their black and white chippers, except I made them bigger. Enjoy!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Flipping through summer vacation photos I came across this picture of my sandy feet. I know, I know, my feet aren't exactly "pretty", but my nails sure were. Which lead me look at my toes today... & I'm embarrassed to admit that there are looking pretty sad. I guess that means it's time to get my nails done, so I'm heading over to the Tustin Nail Spa in Orange. I'm sure there are lots of fabulous nail salons here in the OC, but the Tustin Nail Spa is definitely my top choice. (They were even featured on the MyFoxLA's Hot List this past year!) My favorite treatment? The Deluxe Pedicure. You get your basic spa pedicure plus a callus treatment, exfoliating massage with sea salt & body scrub, a mask or paraffin dip, cooking gel, cucumber heel therapy & a 10 minute massage (they actually set a timer, so you know you're getting your full 10 minutes!). All for just $32! Anyway, if you are in the Orange area, check out the Tustin Nail Spa & be sure to check our their latest coupons HERE.